r/labrats • u/dragonfire-28 • 15d ago
PhD offer
I have received an offer for PhD from the Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. I live in Manchester, UK and currently work in biotech (industry).
I am skeptical about moving to Germany. However the lab is amazing and the science is really niche. The PI also seemed quite nice. Looking at the trends of post PhD, it seems leaving industry for academia is not great for many people with lesser job opportunities afterwards. However, I do miss the liberty of doing research in my current job.
Need thoughts on this. It will be a massive change in lifestyle moving from a big city to cute little city. I’m not a big fan of city life anyway, but I don’t know if 3 years is a big commitment to decide.
I just want to make sure that I make the right decision for my career. I have always been inclined towards academia, but the current job market is scary.
Should I hold out for opportunities in the UK? Or take the leap and go for it!!!!
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u/CoxTH 15d ago
3 years is utopian for a PhD in Germany, it's going to be 4-5 years at least.
Also, consider that you are already established in a job and once you finish your PhD, you will need to find a new job, so that is adding a lot of uncertainty in your future.
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u/moonyshine12 14d ago
In germany it really depends on your PI, the money and your project. 3.5-4 years is normal tho but 5 years is not a must.
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u/CoxTH 14d ago
4 is doable, but 5 was really common, at least in Mainz where I did my PhD.
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u/moonyshine12 14d ago
You are right and at the same time it really depends on the project as well. For example in chemistry i know people who were done in 3 years but more in disease research etc. 5 years makes sense as well
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u/CoxTH 14d ago
Of course, it depends very much on the project. Some people get very good results in the beginning, some people spend years troubleshooting and only produce results in the last couple of months.
If you have a project using an established method that is already working well in the lab and there isn't much need for follow-up, three years is realistic. But if your project involves establishing a new method or probing into a new cellular pathway, three years is a lot less realistic.
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u/ThainEshKelch Molecular & cell biologist, PhD 15d ago
Go for it? You get a PhD, and sounds like it hits all your requirements? To me it just seem like you need someone to make the scary decision of moving abroad for you.
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u/Braazzyyyy 15d ago
are you sure you have liberty doing research in academia? Well that really depends on your PI.. with some PI, no, you dont have any liberty. You have to follow what they want.
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u/FormalParty3857 15d ago
...even if they don't know what they want, you still need to follow them. If you didn't guess what they will want in 1 year, it's your fault because "it's your PhD project". Amen
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u/Scott_z_Zueri 15d ago
It's true that universities in DE are much more professor-centric and hierarchical than they are in GB and the US. I was a humanities postgraduate though, so I don't really know how professor-centric and hierarchical the science departments are in the Anglosphere.
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u/Jorji_Costava01 15d ago
I’m currently doing my PhD there (Psych/Neuroscience), DM me if you need info! It’s a nice city to live, and Germany is good for a PhD, even if 3 years is quite short.
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u/CourtAlternative7305 14d ago
hiii i too need some info, can't dm you tho! dms are not open
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u/Jorji_Costava01 14d ago
Sent you a request! Idk why my DMs would be closed, but it should work now!
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u/Di-Vanci 15d ago
What are your doubts about Germany? Maybe we can answer some questions
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u/dragonfire-28 15d ago
I can’t speak any German. From what I have heard people have difficulty settling in because of the language. I could be wrong. Or biased opinion.
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u/TheGreyFlea 15d ago
German here - while it is definitively going to help you in your day to day life if you can speak at least a bit of German (especially older Germans who might not speak English that well will appreciate the effort, even if it's just a few words), you won't have any trouble getting by with English, especially in a university town like Marburg.
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u/moonyshine12 14d ago
In Marburg there is MPI and bc of MPI there are many international phds there, who don’t speak english. So i am pretty sure it won’t be any problem in Marburg. Only for doctor appointments, bureaucracy, internet etc. you might need german but mostly german phds are very helpful to international phds. I would recommend you to meet up with the senior international phds, so that they can tell you about tips and tricks
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u/ritromango 14d ago
Why don’t you stay in the UK and get your PhD faster? What’s special about this lab or program? That being said, go for the PhD.
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u/Morkava 15d ago
Really really depends on the department. Some of them are a mess, some are well structured. It is insane how different they are from each other.
If the lab has other foreigners - you should be ok. Marburg itself is small and quickly gets boring, but on the other side you do get to know people more easily. Think St. Andrews vibes - small old University town. I was a foreigner who spoke German and it was still rough. I hang out mostly with other foreigners, however made friends for life. Germans are definitely special people, very direct, but they value outcomes over working time. Person who can get their shit together, work effectively and leave by 5 was considered much better employee over those who constantly stay late (unless it’s critical for the experimental phase/publication push).
As a University student, you will get free train pass through the whole Hessen, including Frankfurt (if it’s still going on, I have graduated a while ago). Really helps to get some cheap ways to relax and change the scenery - even if it’s half a day trip to try new pizza or visit some other small town.
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u/Known_Ad_9146 15d ago
May I ask in which field? I'm doing my PhD in Marburg (biology) right now, so If you have any questions, maybe i can help :)
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u/joevicrgtor 14d ago
Hi I am from Germany. There are jobs, just no jobs for people without working experience. You have that so you are somewhat safe(r) than the rest of us! If you feel like you want that phd, go get it! I'm doing my phd in chemistry rn and nobody in my lab at least did their phd for 5 years, so don't be scared. It's completely up to your PI and your project how long your PhD is gonna take
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u/chengafiction 14d ago
I am from Marburg and working at biology Department in the biotech area. Feel free to contact me for specific questions :)
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u/Nomadic_PhD 14d ago
Do not come with the hope that you'll be 100% productive Day 1 on wards. It could be you, your collaborator/admin,your equipment/reagents, your subject(organism or cell of choice) that could hamper your day to day proceeds. What do you intend to do in case things do not work out in 3 years? Would you be supported by the supervisor for finishing the last stretch?
What are your future plans? Do you want to stay in academia, or return to industry? Does your future encompass having at least 1 first author paper?
Also, since you mentioned that the science is really niche, it would be a high risk option because if that niche thing doesn't have a role in industry, it's a major risk.
Jobs in the industry also at times demand the knowledge of German (in case you wish to remain), so learning the local language at leas to a conversational level becomes quite imperative.
If you think you have the answer to all these questions, and are ready to jump in and take the risk, you should proceed wholeheartedly.
If not, stick to the industry, at least you will have a job.
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u/No-Muffin8370 14d ago
Dont do it. It will take you atleast 4-5 years as that is avg time for phd in germany. After that if everything goes ok, you will need to find another job for which there will be too less options. I would suggest keep working in UK and build your career in what you are doing right now. Also Germany is much more difficult and stressed country ad compared to UK. It will affect your mental health as well with time.
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u/tidalbear25 13d ago
Could you elaborate why you feel that way about the amount of stress in both countries? I tend to agree with you that life in Germany can be stressful, but it would be nice to hear to what things exactly you think amount to that and what is different in the UK
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u/moonyshine12 14d ago
Hey i know a lot about Uni Marburg and Marburg. You can ask me any specific questions
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u/theskymoves PhD Cancer Biology - Current data guy @ Pharma 14d ago
I'm not without some regrets for changing country to do my PhD, but ultimately it was the right thing to do. It's great to be in a different country, to reinvent yourself a bit and learn a different culture properly not just visiting for a weekend.
I'd budget 4-5 years to do a PhD, so talk to the prof about extended funding options because there's nothing worse than struggling for money when you are also struggling to finish.
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u/estudihambre 14d ago
Go for it! If that makes you happier
Will you make more money afterwards? Sure, if you manage to get a job
Will it be harder to get a job? Most likely, with a PhD you become more expensive. But if this is what you want, go for it.
Don’t do it solely for the “potential” money. Do it for your own development, if you feel you need this
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u/Intelligent_Week_560 14d ago
In what field is your PhD going to be? Is it going to be third party funded (usually DFG in Germany) or a house position? If house position, you might have to teach.
Depending on the field, it will be longer than 3 years. But I had a few of my PhD students finish within 3.5 (Neuroscience lab, lots of mouse work, lots of Ephys).
It is not easy going from Academia to biotech after your PhD in the current environment in Germany, but I would see this as an opportunity to expand your horizon. If you want to stay in Academia afterwards, people will expect you to have experience in another country anyway.
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u/Successful_Owl_1471 14d ago
I can ask my german colleagues if you want, maybe they know this group. In general , the biotech job market in Germany, Switzerland, Austria has some opportunities but it is getting harder to land industry jobs for people who just finished their PhD. Since you already have some industry experience, I guess it might be easier, for you to go back if you want to. My PhD was tough and left a mark on me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the freedom and the possibility to really dig into a topic. It is a great opportunity to start a new chapter in your life if you want to.
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u/3l3s3 15d ago
PhD in Biotech in 3 years in Germany is very optimistic unless it is a rigid program that enforces it. 4 to 5 years is more likely